Provo Divorce Records
Provo divorce records are filed and stored at the Utah County Fourth District Court. Provo is the county seat of Utah County and the third-largest city in Utah, with roughly 120,000 residents. The Fourth District Court in Provo handles all divorce cases for Utah County residents. Records go back to 1859 for divorce and probate cases, making Provo one of the more complete sources for historical Utah divorce research. This page explains how to search Provo divorce records, where to get copies, and what other resources are available.
Provo Quick Facts
Where to File Provo Divorce Records
Provo residents file for divorce at the Fourth Judicial District Court, which is located in downtown Provo. Since Provo is the county seat of Utah County, the courthouse is right in the city. This makes it convenient to file new cases and to obtain copies of existing Provo divorce records. The court handles all family law cases for Utah County, including those from Provo and every surrounding city.
| Court | Fourth Judicial District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 125 North 100 West Provo, UT 84601 |
| Phone | (801) 429-1000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| County Clerk/Auditor | 100 East Center Street, Room 3600 Provo, UT 84606 (801) 851-8109 |
| Court Directory | utcourts.gov/en/court-directory/ |
The Utah County Clerk and Auditor office at 100 East Center Street also has records related to marriage and divorce going back to 1887 for marriages and 1859 for divorce and probate. This depth of historical records makes the Provo courthouse one of the best sources for older divorce records in Utah. For more about what Provo offers as a city, see the official site at provo.org.
Historical Provo Divorce Records
Utah County has some of the deepest historical divorce records in Utah. Divorce and probate records date from 1859. Marriage records go back to 1887. These older records are housed at the Utah County Clerk/Auditor office and may also be accessible through the Utah Division of Archives.
The image below is from the official City of Provo, showing the city's public infrastructure and civic services that support resident access to county records and government resources.
Provo's status as county seat means most Utah County record collections are based here, including the long-running divorce case files held at the Fourth District Court.
For genealogical research involving Provo divorce records, the FamilySearch Utah divorce records guide at familysearch.org is a helpful starting point. The Utah Division of Archives at archives.utah.gov also holds some older county records that may supplement what is available directly from the court.
Note: Records from before the state's formal vital records system may require direct contact with the Utah County Clerk or the Division of Archives to locate.
How to Search Provo Divorce Records
Searching for Provo divorce records can be done online or in person. The Utah Courts case portal lets you search by party name or case number at no charge. You can view party names, filing dates, hearing records, and current case status. This works for recent cases filed through the Fourth District Court. For document copies, you must contact the court clerk directly or visit in person.
In-person searches at the Fourth District Court at 125 North 100 West in Provo are effective for both recent and older cases. Bring the full name of at least one party and the approximate year of the divorce. Staff can locate the case and print copies for you. Certified copies carry a higher per-page cost than plain copies. Call (801) 429-1000 to confirm current fees and hours before you visit.
For divorce certificates covering Provo cases from 1978 to 2010, the Utah County Health Department at 151 South University Avenue, Provo, UT 84601, (801) 851-7005, may have records. The Utah Office of Vital Records at vitalrecords.utah.gov is the primary source for state-issued divorce certificates in that date range.
Provo Divorce Filing Process
Filing for divorce in Provo follows Utah state law. Residency is the first requirement. Under Utah Code Section 30-3, at least one spouse must have lived in Utah and in Utah County for a minimum of three months before filing. Provo is the county seat, so most residents of the city will easily meet this standard.
Utah allows no-fault divorce. Irreconcilable differences is the most common ground used by Provo residents. You do not need to show that either spouse did anything wrong. After filing the petition and having the other spouse served, the mandatory waiting period begins. Utah requires 30 days for cases without minor children and 90 days for cases involving minor children. Once the waiting period ends, the court can finalize the divorce if all issues are resolved.
If both parties agree on all terms, they submit a stipulation to the court. The judge reviews it and signs the decree. Contested cases go to a hearing or trial. Either way, the signed divorce decree is filed with the Fourth District Court in Provo and becomes a public record. Under GRAMA (Utah Code Section 63G-2), divorce decrees are public, though sensitive financial and personal data may be redacted from public copies.
Divorce Certificates for Provo Cases
After a Provo divorce is finalized, you may need a copy of the divorce certificate or the divorce decree. These are two different documents. The divorce certificate is issued by the state and confirms a divorce happened. It lists names, date, and county. The divorce decree is the full court order with all terms included.
For Provo divorces from 1978 to 2010, you can request a certificate from the Utah Office of Vital Records. Visit vitalrecords.utah.gov for ordering instructions. The first certified copy is $18. For divorces outside that range, contact the Fourth District Court at (801) 429-1000.
The image below is from the Utah Division of Archives, which holds some historical Utah County records that may supplement court records for Provo divorce cases.
The Utah Division of Archives is at archives.utah.gov and can help researchers locate older Provo and Utah County records not yet digitized by the court system.
Legal Help for Provo Divorce Cases
Provo residents who need legal help with a divorce have several paths available. Utah Legal Services provides free assistance to those who qualify based on income. They serve Utah County residents, including those in Provo. See utahlegalservices.org for eligibility and contact details.
The Utah Courts self-help center at utcourts.gov/en/self-help/ provides forms and step-by-step guides for filing on your own. Since the Fourth District Court is in Provo itself, visiting in person for self-help resources is easy for Provo residents. The clerk's office can direct you to the correct forms for your type of case.
The Utah Courts site at utcourts.gov also has a dedicated divorce section. It covers how to file, what forms to use, what to expect during the process, and how to handle specific issues like custody and property. Provo residents can access all of this at no cost.
Utah County Divorce Records
Provo is the county seat of Utah County. All divorce filings for Provo residents go through the Utah County Fourth District Court. The county page covers the full court system, fee schedules, related record types, and other resources for Utah County residents.
Nearby Cities in Utah County
These cities near Provo are also in Utah County and file divorce records at the Fourth District Court. Select a city to find out more about accessing divorce records in that area.